Post by dorf on Feb 6, 2018 9:08:33 GMT

Everton criticised after Brendan Galloway 'wastes his time' at Sunderland

Sunderland boss Chris Coleman admits Brendan Galloway has been 'wasting his time' on Wearside - but hopes the defender still has a part to play in their fight against relegation.

And Coleman has also expressed his curiosity at Everton not managing to agree a deal to send him elsewhere for the reminder of the campaign.

The on-loan Blues defender has made just two appearances for the Black Cats under the Welshman, both off the bench, and hasn't started a game for the Championship strugglers since September 9.

Both Galloway and Sunderland were hoping the year-long deal could be ended prematurely, with MK Dons amongst those keen to give the 21-year-old playing time elsewhere, but he remained at the Stadium of Light as the transfer window closed.

Coleman - who took over from Simon Grayson in November - was open to sending Galloway back to Goodison, not wanting to waste a "critical stage" of the youngster's development.

Yet now he remains a Sunderland player, Coleman insists he is happy for him to remain on the books.

“Brendan is a lovely kid and he has been working hard but he has lacked game time,” said Coleman. “He’s here to get game time and he is not getting it.

“You don’t want to waste the boy’s time, it is a critical stage for him.

“We thought maybe Everton would want to take him back, maybe loan him out somewhere else – even in the division below – but that wasn’t the case.

"So Brendan is still here, and he is a cracking boy. Who knows, we may need to call on him yet.”

Sunderland currently sit 23rd in the Championship and face the serious prospect of consecutive relegations.